Set in nearly an acre and a half of grounds, barely 600 metres from the fine white sand and glittering turquoise water of Palombaggia beach, Villa Marinka is simply stunning. The perfect geometry of the single-storey building is softened by the surrounding umbrella pines and cork oaks, and reflected in the magnificent, 14-metre infinity pool that runs almost the entire length of the villa. The interiors share the same simple elegance as the exterior, with lots of light, bright spaces furnished in tasteful neutral shades, but it’s really the location of this property that makes it so special, as rentable villas this close to this beach are very rare.

The villa and the pool both face directly out to sea, giving a 180-degree view of Palombaggia beach, the Iles Cerbicales marine nature reserve and as far as Sardinia on a clear day. The Cerbicales offer some of the best diving in the Mediterranean, but if you prefer to stay on top of the water there are boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available to hire directly from the beach. The soft sands of Palombaggia are a 10-minute stroll so you can come and go from the house as often and as easily as you please, and you can have lunch, dinner and even breakfast at the beach during the main summer season. There’s also an outdoor sitting area by the pool if you prefer a more intimate evening, and for a much wider choice of restaurants and shops, the buzzy harbour town of Porto Vecchio is around 20 minutes away.

Our choice of Corsican properties is as diverse as the island itself, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.